Which task could the practical nurse (PN) safely delegate to the unlicensed assistivepersonnel (UAP)?

The correct answer is Choice D

Choice A: Excruciating pain

• Rationale: While partial thickness burns can be painful, especially in the first few days, excruciating pain is less likely for a stable patient 3 days post-burn. Pain management is a crucial aspect of burn care, but excruciating pain might indicate deeper burns or complications like infection.

Choice B: Elevated blood pressure

• Rationale: Elevated blood pressure is not a typical complication of a partial thickness burn. In fact, burn patients are more at risk for hypotension (low blood pressure) due to fluid loss.

Choice C: Compartment syndrome

• Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a serious complication that typically occurs with deep burns or traumatic injuries. It's caused by increased pressure within a muscle compartment, restricting blood flow and potentially leading to tissue death. While a possibility, it's less likely for a partial thickness burn 3 days after the injury.

Choice D: Curling's Ulcer

• Rationale: Curling's ulcer is a peptic ulcer (stomach ulcer) that can develop as a complication of major burns. This is because burns trigger a massive inflammatory response, releasing stress hormones that increase stomach acid production, making the stomach lining more susceptible to ulcers. Given the extensive burn area (30% TBSA) and the timeframe (3 days post-burn), Curling's ulcer becomes a significant concern.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Choice D: Curling's Ulcer

Explanation:

• A 30% TBSA partial thickness burn is a significant injury that triggers a systemic inflammatory response.
• Three days post-burn falls within the timeframe when Curling's ulcer can develop due to the increased stress hormones and gastric acid production.
• While pain management and monitoring for compartment syndrome are important, Curling's ulcer poses a more significant threat in this scenario.

Choice A rationale:

Obtaining a post-voided residual (PVR) volume is a non-invasive procedure that can be safely delegated to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to measure the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination.

Choice B rationale:

Teaching the client with fluid restrictions how to measure urine output requires specialized knowledge and is best performed by the practical nurse (PN).

Choice C rationale:

Emptying the bedside drainage unit for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter is a task that can be delegated to the UAP as it involves routine drainage and does not require advanced nursing skills.

Choice D rationale:

Irrigating an indwelling urinary catheter for a client with bladder suspension is a sterile procedure that requires nursing expertise, so it should not be assigned to the unlicensed assistive personnel.

Choice E rationale:

Transporting a urine culture sample to the laboratory is a non-complex task that can be safely delegated to the UAP to ensure timely and efficient delivery.